Sunday, May 29, 2011

Grandchildren are wondrous little blessings. When they look at you for the first time it's supernatural. I remember holding my little grandson when he was first born. I whispered love words and sang love songs to him. I got to be with him for his first week. His mama was recovering from a spinal block and needed extra help. He was so sweet and quiet, and he reached into my heart and tied our lives together forever. He so reminded me of the days when my daughter was born. Both were born with bilateral cleft lips and palates. Looking at him was like looking into my own past. All the feelings of fear, trepidation and worry came flooding back. I could see much of his future looking into his eyes. I knew he would have multiple surgeries. I knew his mom would have to face many challenges and overcome the memories of her childhood. I also knew that God would walk them both through whatever would come their way.

When our granddaughter was born I was much too far away to be able to hold her, but I was tied to her just as strongly as I was to our grandson. Having lost children, I have a strange connection to any child born on the planet. I can love strongly whether by blood or complete strangers. I've been to the other side of the world loving children in orphanages and God put that special kind of love in me. It surely isn't a natural thing. I have friends who can barely stand their own children, let alone strangers. So the moment I was able to touch my little Tzipporah (we call her Zippy) she was tied to my heart as strongly as the bible's "triple braided cord".

In fourteen days our summer adventure with our grandkids begins (God willing). We have many fun surprises in store. They have ideas of what's going to happen, but I'm sure they will be surprised at a lot of what we're going to do. The main thing is that we are going to do some marathon loving. We are going to squeeze love into every waking and sleeping moment they are with us. We will love them when they are good, love them when they are bad, love them when they act like children of God and love them when they act otherwise. We are good at loving and we look forward to this special opportunity that God has blessed us with.

Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights! The blessing of the Lord maketh rich and He adds no sorrow with it. Children are a blessing from the Lord! We are so excited and thankful for this time and we will be good stewards over these precious gifts from above.

Friday, May 13, 2011

I really had a great time in Roswell last week. It's hard to believe that a week has passed since I was at "Imagine That's" NSD Fiesta 2011. There were about 35 of us there and I know we all came away with some neat projects and great memories. My Minds Eye sent KC, Jason and Nick to help us with all the great projects.

My sweet friend Gloria went with me and we had fun sharing stories with a few of the gals, messing with the guys and creating and crafting. Of course we had fun shopping too. We discovered a new Asian restaurant (Yummo) and did way too much laughing and talking and way too little sleeping. Isn't that what girls do?

Glo and I create together.

Dene and Krista welcomed us with open arms. Of course the store is so much fun. I just took a trip to HL and told hubby. "If Imagine That had been in Roswell when we lived there you would never have convinced me to move to Texas." Every store pales in comparison. So it's back to the Internet to look for more MME products. I love their "Lush" series albums and papers. The velvet flocking comes in several colors. We used the turquoise and orange ones and the album is one of my new favorites. I will be looking for others.

Our four greeting cards.

I've fallen in love with "My Minds Eye" goodies. KC, Jason and Nick brought kits from MME and we put together some really awesome projects. We did a two page layout Friday. We did four greeting cards Saturday morning, a mini album (my FAV) and three canvasses. I didn't much like the canvas project, so I did my own thing. They turned out so neat I asked KC for a spare sheet of the Stella Rose "So Sweet" paper so I could do a fourth canvas back at home.

I look forward to attending again next year and will put my reservation in early so I don't get bumped from the rolls. What a blast.

Lush 2 Album

On of the best things about this event was the freedom to "do your own thing". The guys from MME are all salesmen, so though they had great projects that were completely ready for us to follow the very clear instructions, they gave us the go ahead to create and make the projects our own. I don't like having my projects look like everyone elses so I really appreciated the freedom.

Stella and Rose canvases

If you get an opportunity to travel through Roswell, NM do not hesitate to see if the store is open. You will be overwhelmed at all the projects, but don't worry, you'll get over it. Make sure and take a list of things you're looking for and ask one of the gals if they have it. Chances are good they do and they will be able to show you right where it's at. The store is the largest in North America and you will definitely have fun perusing the aisles. I know I do and my hubby travels through twice a month and fills my "want" list and then some.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

I'm laying back on my girlfriend's little sofa bed doing absolutely nothing. When I arrived in town I stopped at Big Lots and found a bunch of scrapbook treasures. I also found the perfect card to thank my girlfriend for her hospitality. On its front it said, "you are fabulous". On the inside it said, "in case you forget read it again"!

After I made my way to her home we headed to "Peppers" and had a nice quiet lunch. Glo had fettucine Alfredo with sauteed veggies. I had a taco salad. Yummo and yawno. Nappy time. So I'm reclining on her sofa while she runs errands. Gotta love her and R & R.